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May 31, 1932. J. Q. SHERMAN TOY Filed 001,. 6. 192

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Patented May 31, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOHN G. SHERMAN, OF DAYTON, OHIOApplication filed October 6, 1927. Serial No. 224,385.

My invention relates to toy model building devices, and moreparticularly to means for coupling bars and plates in various positionsof relative adjustment.

It has been customary to interconnect the various parts and elements ofmodel building or erecting sets by means of screw bolts.

- Such bolted connections many times failed to hold their adjustedpositions, even though drawn as tightly together by the adjustment ofthe connecting holes, as in the power of the child. Moreover, a childwho has assembled a complicated structure from the parts or elements ofsuch set usually consisting of bars, plates, angles and the like, manytimes losses interest when the structural assembly has been completedand is reluctant to disassemble the structure because of the difiicultyof removing connecting bolts, and particularly the time required.Usually at such period the child is interested not in the disassembly ofthe completed structural apparatus, but solely in the construction of anew assembly.

To overcome these two outstanding difficulties there is provided in thepresent construction structural elements having about the spacedperforations for the connecting devices rosettes comprising radiatingembossed clutch teeth which interengage with like radiating clutch teethof other elements or members, or with interposed washers to hold theseveral parts in the1r predetermined adjusted relation with each other.These elements are interconnected b complementary snap fastenors, one ofw ich is int oduced through the registering holes of the severalstructural elements and engaged with the complementary member on theopposite side thereof, which holds the parts in their adjusted positionby a clamping action but is capable of being readily and instantlydisconnected by the application of limited pressure or force. Thus thedisassembly or disconnection of the elements may be quickly accomplishedwithout the laborious and tedious task of the removal of nuts and screwbolts as are ordinarily employed.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure, as well as themeans and mode of assembly of toy structural elements for modelbuilding, and the like, whereby they wlll not only be cheapened inconstruction but will be more easily assembled and disassembled, capableof being securely interengaged in predetermined relative positions andunlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide interengaging clutchmeans between the contacting portions of the interchangeable structuralelements whereby they will be securely held in their relatively adjustedpositions. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide quick detachable meansfor connecting and disconnecting said structural elements, and whichwhen connected will maintain suflicient clamping pressure thereon tomaintain the elements in interlocked relation and which will yield to amoderate application of force, well within the power of a child toenable the rapid disconnection of such assembled parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch collar orwasher for assembly intermediate connected elements to preventinterference between the locking barrier or clutch rosettes not beingused for connecting purposes.

A further and primary object of the invertion is to provide modelbuilding or toy structural elements which may be quickly and easilyinterconnected into predetermined relative relation with means forinsuring the maintenance of such adjusted positions whichinterconnecting means will subsequently facilitate the disassembly orwreckage of the assembled structure.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as willmore fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and themode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described andset forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred,but obviously not necessarily, the only form of embodi ment of theinvention, Fig. 1 is an assembl of several structural elements of a toybuilding or erector set embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail view of a portion of one of such elements, and Fig. 3 1sa plan view of a clutch collar or washer to be interposed between theelements for spacing purposes. Fig. 4 are side elevations of the maleand female members of the interconnecting or coupling device. Fig. 5 isa face view and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the female member of suchcoupling device. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a modification of thestructural elements wherein an annular series of spaced holes areprovided surrounding the orifice or the connecting element, in lieu ofthe radiating clutch teeth or ribs disclosed in the preceding view. Fig.8 is a side elevation of the male member of the coupling device modifiedfor use with an element such as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 illustrates apair of prongs for applying fastener devices under pressure.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 1-1 are elements of a toybuilding set, which in the present instance have been shown as bars orflat strips. It is to be understood, however, that such elements may beformed into lates, angle bars, angle brackets, panels, or ot erstructural elements of various forms and configurations. The structuralelements of whatever form are provided with spaced holes 2-2 to receivefastening or coupling devices. The holes 2 located at spaced intervalsin the elements 1 from figures of rosettes 3 consisting of embossedradiating teeth or ribs forming clutch faces concentric with the holes2. These clutch teeth or radiating ribs 4 comprising the rosette 3 maybe cut entirely through the elements 11 on their radiating line andattached thereto only at their ends, or such stock may be displaced bystamping with suitable dies to force alternating portions thereof inopposite directions without severing the web of material. The radiatingribs or teeth 4 form acute sector shapes and are spaced equidistant fromeach other sufiicient to permit like ribs or teeth 4 of a differentstructural element 1 to be interengaged therebetween. In assemblingelements 1 they are arranged with the selected perforations 2 inregistry one with the other, and with the radiating ribs or teeth 4 ofthe rosette 3 of one member interlocking or interengaging between thoseof the second member. By this means the members are secured inpredetermined angular relation and so held against loss of adjustmentdue to the interlocking of the clutch rosettes. The clamping pressure bywhich the parts are held together need not be very great. When twosmooth surfaces are to be held together by a clamp bolt as has beengenerally heretofore employed it is necessary that the bolt be drawnvery tight in order to afford the necessary frictional resistance ofrelative adjustment. This requirement for tight ad ustment is beyond thepower of a small child, and consequently the failure of such parts tohold their adjusted positions after assembly is a source of greatannoyance and disappointment. By the present construction, a verymoderate clamping action nearly suflicient to permit the bodilydisplacement of the memher away from each other is suflicient to holdthem in their adjusted position since the interlocking clutch teeth orradiatin ribs 4 will effectually prevent any pivotal displacement.

To afford a connecting means which will, at the same time, afford amoderate degree of compression or clamping action and yet be capable ofbeing instantly disengaged by application of moderate force within thepower of the child, snap fasteners of a general type and constructionordinarily employed as garment fasteners are utilized. These snapfasteners are made in appropriate size and consist of male and femaleelements. The male element 6 consists of a disc like main portion 7projecting centrally from which is a tapered head 8 of such size as toeasily pass through the perforations 2 in the elements 1 sufficientlylong to receive a female member 9 on the opposite side of the assembledmember. Obviously these fastener elements may be formed with heads'ofdifferent lengths to be used in the assembly of more than two structuralelements by a single fastener. The female member 9 comprises a tip likeelement having therein a spring 10 of annular form, the ends 11 of whichare inturned into substantially parallel relation to clasp the oppositeside of the tapered head 8 of the male member which is introducedtherebetween. The ends 11 of such spring member are forced apart and thespring placed under tension by the introduc' tion of the head 8 of themale member. Thus the spring ends 11 are caused to exert constantcontractile pressure upon the tapered sides of the head 8, which bytheir camming action tends to draw the elements (3 and 9 towards eachother, thereby exerting a moderate clamping effect upon the assembledelements.

In case the elements 1-1 are assembled at such acute inclination to eachother that the clutch rosettes 3 other than those registering with eachother and so interlocked shall over lap as shown at 12, to avoidinterference clutch collars or washers 13 are provided, which may beinterposed between the assembled elements 1l to space such members apartthereby serving to avoid the interference of clutch rosettes other thanthose which are interconnected and interlocked with each other byfastening devices. In lieu of the radiating teeth or ribs 4 forming theclutch rosette, there is shown in Fig. 7 a modification wherein anannular series of small holes 14 surround the perforations 2. In thisinstance coupling members will be provided with one or more studs orpins 15 so located as to engage in any one of the annular series ofholes 14, when the head of the coupling member is engaged in theperforations 2. The pins or studs 15 are sufliciently long to extendthrough and engage the registering perforations 15 of the assembledmember and so interlock such members against pivotal movement, insuringtheir maintenance in their proper relative positions of adjustment.

While only a moderate degree of pressure is required to interengage thecomplementary members of the fasteners, to facilitate their engagementin difiicult positions and by children who may lack the necessarystrength, a pair of tongs are provided consisting of inter-pivotedlevers 17 and 18 carrying jaws 19 and 20, the abutting faces of whichare shaped and adapted to receive the members 6 and 9 of the snapfastener before mentioned. By use of this tong a child lacking thenecessary strength can apply the snap fasteners with considerablepressure amply sufficient to insure their engagement. Moreover, the useof the tool insures the accurate registry of the male and female membersand thus facilitate their interconnection and minimizes the timenecessary for the construction of a model or structure. The tool may bemagnetized to easily hold the fastener units until snapped into place.When it becomes necessary to disassembleor disconnect the elements ofsuch model or structure it is only necessary to pull them apart with aprying action which is sufiicient to dislodge the female member from themale member, as shown in Fig. 4, and completely loosen the connection.By this means a model or structure may be torn down very easily and withminimum efiort.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a construction of the character described, possessing theparticular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, butwhich obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportion,and arrangement of parts, without departing from the principle involvedor sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention is described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural features, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the specific detailsshown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise thepreferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect,and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Coupling means for detachably interengaging a plurality of reversibleperforated elements of a toy building set with each other into variousstructures, including clutch faces formed on the opposite faces of saidmembers in registry with each other, and concentric with theperforations comprising alternately disposed radial projections anddepressions and engageable with like clutch faces of other elements withthe perforations of such elements in registry, and a washer having acentral perforation and corresponding alternately disposed radialprojections and depresslons on its opposite sides for interlockingengagement with alternately disposed radial projections and depressionsof two such elements to space said elements apart to afiord clearancebetween nonregistering clutch aces.

2. Coupling means for detachabl interconnecting a plurality of buildinge ements, to be interconnected with each other into various structures,including alternately disposed radial projections and depressions on theopposite sides of the elements at spaced intervals interlockingengagement with like projections and depressions of other elements,coupling means for the elements, and washers to be interposed betweenthe elements having alternately disposed radial projections anddepressions on their opposite sides for engagement with thecorresponding adjacent clutch faces of two elements to be interconnectedto afford clearance beween other nonregistering clutch faces of theconnected ele- 1 JOHN Q. SHERMAN.

